First pics underwater

These are some of the pics I took with my new Ikelite housing and strobe. Canon 30D inside. 17-85mm lens. This is the first time using this camera and only the third time with any type of camera underwater. Don't be gentle, I have a thick skin and can only improve with your help.

Very good for first time in the water! On the wide angle shots, are you using some sort of diopter? I notice you have some black corners. If you are using the correct port for your lens and if you have your shade petals positioned correctly, then the port should not cause that, but if you have a thick diopter that might be a reason for the corners.

Interests:Protecting our Ocean, Environmental Education,
Having fun and Living Well

Posted 27 May 2008 - 08:39 AM

Hi Milton, I would echo Marjo, very nice for the first time with the new housing! Heck, they are very nice period. Have you sharpened a bunch in post process? They look a little overcooked to my eye but it's clearly a style thing. I really like the first manta shot. You just needed a little bit wider glass to get the wing tips in the frame, (if I was going to get picky). Thanks for sharing!

I was using the correct 6" dome port for my Canon 17-85mm lens. The petals were set correctly but at 17mm I cannot avoid the dark spots. A bit better composition and a little cropping will sort this out. Not that I am making excuses but it was 06h30 and we had bad viz.

The pic with the Manta with the fish was taken on the fly and the resulting motion blur si what you see. Sharpening in PS didn't change that but it did improve the Manta a little. My techniques with PS are a little like a kid with a fresh pack of candy: Eat them all right now, get sick later. I need to spend a lot more time learning PS.

From what I pick up on the forums, the 10-22mm lens seems the way to go? Better get that 8" dome port. I am also shooting with only one DS-125 and intend getting another. No more happiness to the body from the wife...

Oh! By the way: the Manta shots were strobe free. We were cautioned not to use strobes at that reef by the resident DM so I had to settle with a 400ISO and a steady hand.